Bill Drake was born in Norfolk, Virginia with roots in Mississippi. In fact, Bill’s mom and her parents and grandparents had accumulated experiences in the Ku Klux Clan, slave plantations and serviced as a Corneal in the Civil War. Bill’s mom was actually brought up with the help of a black woman. White supremacy attitudes and behaviors were quite active in Bill’s young life.
At 17, Bill had a transforming experience. He was on a bus witnessing the disrespectful behavior of his cousin towards a respectful black woman. A year and a half later, Bill asked his older brother while driving together if it was right to look down on people that are a different color from them. His brother had the perfect answer. No. This was one of the shortest conversations in his life and one of the most profound.
Bill recognizes that being curious while standing outside the current role in our lives and being honest and understanding of our own imperfections can transform prejudice into appreciation.